The Shijian Homestay, perched on the hillside of Paitangdou Village on Pingtan Island, is distinguished by its innovative “water comes out of stone” design, with the mountain facing the sea.
Situated in the Changjiang Ao Tourist Resort, Pingtan County, Fujian Province, the project lies 128 kilometers from Fuzhou and just 68 nautical miles east of Taiwan’s Hsinchu Port. The local folk song, “Only stones grow, not grass grows. Wind and sand run all over the ground, and houses are like bunkers…” poetically describes the stone houses of Pingtan, also known as stone dwellings.
At the outset, the project team carefully studied local residential architecture, climate, and terrain in Fujian. Their goal was to harmonize architectural design with the natural environment. This approach involved exploring ways to connect these elements, aiming for a balanced and innovative architectural breakthrough.
The design prominently features stone tones and textures, preserving the original materials of the house’s structure. Floor-to-ceiling bay windows extend outward, inviting guests to connect intimately with nature and the sea.
To shield against autumn and winter winds and sand, the exterior balcony is enclosed with a glass curtain wall. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding islands, traditional stone houses, and local craftsmanship, the design introduces a unique curtain wall that combines stone and glass — a key feature and innovation of this project.
Beach stones, smoothed by waves, are split into two parts by drilled holes and then bolted onto the tempered glass curtain wall. A total of 112 stones are embedded into the sea-blue glass through multiple connection points, creating a precise integration of stone and glass. This design allows the sea to extend visually into the curtain wall, establishing a poetic dialogue between stones, the sea, mountains, and traditional stone houses.
While brick and stone houses represent the unique local texture, the “water out of stone” curtain wall offers a poetic and romantic connection between tradition and modernity.
The name “Shijian” is inspired by Pingtan’s natural environment and its distinctive stone houses. The “Water out of Stone” concept shapes the space with a natural consciousness, aiming to offer visitors a raw, natural, and relaxing vacation atmosphere.
The interplay of sun, mountains, sea, and water evokes a pure sense of freedom. The name “Shijian” sounds like “time” in Chinese, and every space reflects this concept. The floating stones suspended in the air symbolize the solidification of time.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan of Building A
△ Second Floor Plan of Building A
△ East Elevation of Building A
△ South Elevation of Building A
△ West Elevation of Building A
△ North Elevation of Building A
△ Section of Building A
△ Plan of Building B
△ South Elevation of Building B
△ Section of Building B
Project Information
Project Name: Shijian Homestay
Type: Hotel
Architecture, Interior & Landscape Design: Yuan Xiuwan Architecture Firm
Contact Email: 1697437292@qq.com
Design Period: July 2022 – December 2022
Construction Period: February 2023 – July 2023
Lead Designer: Yuan Xiuwan
Design Team: Zou He, Yin Chengxu
Address: No. 73 Paitangdou, Qushui Village, Liushui Town, Pingtan, Fujian, China
Building Area: 600 square meters
Photography: Juban Visual Zuo Siyang
Client: Changzhou Zhisen Health Management Co., Ltd.
Materials: Stone, Granite, Glass, Micro Cement
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